rustproofing
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 284
Likes: 4
From: Philadelphia Pennsylvania
rustproofing
My 75 coupe's frame appears to be in good shape with little surface rust and a clean birdcage. I want to keep it that way.
I am planning on painting the accessible portions of the main frame with rustoleum to prevent future corrosion. I've seen others do this here, anything out of the ordinary to worry about? I assume it is a straightforward wire brush->rustoleum primer->rustoleum black gloss on the exposed frame but I figured I'd ask in case there are any gotchas.
I already have powdercoated trailing arms coming and the rear suspension is all off. Front will be done sometime soon.
Also, for the birdcage do you guys do anything? preservative grease under the interior trim? paint?
I am planning on painting the accessible portions of the main frame with rustoleum to prevent future corrosion. I've seen others do this here, anything out of the ordinary to worry about? I assume it is a straightforward wire brush->rustoleum primer->rustoleum black gloss on the exposed frame but I figured I'd ask in case there are any gotchas.
I already have powdercoated trailing arms coming and the rear suspension is all off. Front will be done sometime soon.
Also, for the birdcage do you guys do anything? preservative grease under the interior trim? paint?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Factory bird cages received rust preventative at the plant. Zinc chromate green on early cars and a dark gray on later models. You've got some built in protection already there.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 987
Likes: 7
From: Surrey British Columbia
There's a shop nearby my home that electrolytically strips car parts. I used them to do the frame from my '80. After stripping they dipped the frame in a zinc phoshate tank for what they claim is "superior paint adhesion and paint undercoating corrosion protection". Afterwards I had the frame powder-coated. Anyways, last week I went in to inquire about getting my door frames stripped then dipped. He filled me in on some stuff...
He told me that the zinc phoshate coating is not a stand alone corrosion protector. Once dipped, it should be painted immediately to be truly effective. I wanted to get my door frames stripped and dipped this summer so I could re-attach the door skins. But I wasn't planning to paint the frames until the car was painted next summer. He suggests waiting until next year.
He told me that the zinc phoshate coating is not a stand alone corrosion protector. Once dipped, it should be painted immediately to be truly effective. I wanted to get my door frames stripped and dipped this summer so I could re-attach the door skins. But I wasn't planning to paint the frames until the car was painted next summer. He suggests waiting until next year.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 86
From: Rotonda FL
I used eastwoods internal frame coater on the insides of my windshield frame. It's green, sticks like crazy to anything (I'm still trying to get some drops off of plastic and vinyl) and seems to penetrate very small spaces (All of those seams held together with tack welds - green paint came evenly through all of them!). The flexible 15 inch wand extension can get almost anywhere. Be sure to mask for runs and spatters - they appear from the damnedst places.
I used POR 15 on my frame and external birdcage. Good stuff! (Keep telling yourself that as you try to get it off of your skin)
I used POR 15 on my frame and external birdcage. Good stuff! (Keep telling yourself that as you try to get it off of your skin)
Last edited by Rotonda; Jul 18, 2012 at 03:26 PM. Reason: Addition
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,302
Likes: 1,583
From: Western NY
Strictly for "rustproofing" purposes, LPS #3 is a good product. It's a liquid with the consistency of heavy motor oil. It can be purchased in gallon containers, for spray or brush application, or in spray cans, for small jobs.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 268
From: iowa city iowa
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C3 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
I would definitely look into the POR. If you think of how much work it is to get to this stage, and when the next time you will want to do it... I would spend a little more time and/or money and be done with it.